Rams cause chaos in N10 with huge road win at Mohawk

SYCAMORE — Upper Sandusky knocked off Northern 10 Conference front-runner Mohawk on the road Friday night, 13-6. The Rams were able to force three turnovers to upend the 15th-ranked team in this week's Associated Press Division VII poll."Unfortunately, they're really banged up," Upper Sandusky coach Russell Hall said. "They're a tough team…they play every snap as hard as they can…I'm just proud"Upper Sandusky (4-4 overall, 3-2 N10) opened the game with a 17-play, 80-yard scoring drive that took 7:44 off of the clock. Rams running back Ethan Lewis ran for eight yards on a third-and-one to pick up their first of six first downs on the drive. A couple plays later, Upper quarterback Justin Heilman threw a screen pass left to Max Martinez for 13 yards to get to midfield.Five plays and two first downs later, Heilman scrambled left and hit Brodie Cox by the sideline for an 11-yard pass to get into the red zone for the Rams. Two plays later, Lewis ran it up the middle for 10 yards for a first-and-goal scenario at the Mohawk two-yard line.Mohawk's Braxton Frisch stopped Lewis in the backfield for a three-yard loss, but Heilman found Martinez in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown reception. Freshman kicker Gabe Beidelschies converted the PAT to make it 7-0 in favor of Upper Sandusky."That was fantastic," Coach Hall commented on the opening drive. "That's less time they're on offense, which is dangerous. Their quarterback is phenomenal..so, us being able to try and keep the ball on longer drives really paid off by trying to limit his snaps."On Mohawk's next drive, a holding penalty put the Warriors in a second-and-20 situation. The following play, QB Ben Bogner threw a pass to a Mohawk receiver who then attempted a hook-and-ladder to a teammate. An Upper Ram was able to get a hand on the pitch, giving Mohawk it's first turnover of the contest.On the Rams' second play of their ensuing drive, Lewis ran it up the middle and bounced out to the left for a 29-yard scamper to get inside the red zone for the second time in as many drives.The Warrior defense was able to hold Upper to a 25-yard field goal by Beidelschies. The Rams held a 10-0 lead with 47 seconds left in the first quarter.Early in the second quarter, Mohawk held the Rams to a three-and-out, and started their next drive at their own 32. Sophomore RB Kaden Bish rushed for 10 yards to kick off the drive. Bogner then kept it on a fourth-and-one for five yards to move the chains.Unfortunately, even though the Warriors were able to pick up some first downs, the drive fizzled out as Upper was able to force a turnover-on-downs at the Rams 30.The score remained 10-0 going into halftime.Mohawk came out motivated in the second half as they rattled off a nine-play, 80-yard TD drive. After a nine-yard keeper by Bogner, Bish ran up the middle for 13 yards to move the sticks. A couple plays later, Bogner ran over various Rams on his way to a 14-yard pickup.A holding penalty followed by a illegal formation penalty moved the Warriors way back to a first-and-25 scenario. Two plays later, Bogner threw a deep pass to the right to wide open freshman Levi Tiell for a 46-yard TD strike. The PAT was no good to keep Upper's lead at 10-6 with 7:39 remaining in the third period.After forcing the Rams to punt, Mohawk had the ball back at their own 28 with a chance to take the lead.On the second play of the drive, Bogner chucked a deep pass down the middle of the field to Mason Shimpf for a 42-yard completion. Three plays later, Owen Patrizi took a pitch to the left and cut-in to pick up four yards on a third-and one to get to Upper 13. The Rams defense bent, but didn't break as it was able to force Mohawk into a turnover-on-downs.Upper Sandusky was able to move the ball to the 50-yard line before being forced to punt. The punt returner for Mohawk misjudged the ball, and the ball bounced off of their helmet and the Rams were able to recover at the ball at the Warriors 10-yard line.Unfortunately for Upper Sandusky, the Warriors defense gave up nothing, and Beidelschies' 34-yard field goal went wide right to keep it a four-point game halfway through the fourth quarter.Mohawk couldn't muster much on their next drive, but Ben Bogner's 57-yard punt helped his team's cause; giving the Rams the ball at their own 34.Upper Sandusky then went on a 10-play 53-yard scoring drive. After an illegal procedure penalty and being tackled for a three-yard loss, the Rams faced third-and-18 from their own 26. Heilman then connected with Martinez to move the ball 29 yards into Warrior territory. Two plays later, Lewis pushed defenders out of his way as he busted out to the right sideline for a 34-yard trek.Mohawk's defense was able to keep them from scoring a TD as the Rams settled for a 30-yard field goal by Beidelschies to go up 13-6 with just 2:08 left in the game.The Warriors turned the ball over on their next possession, and Upper Sandusky ran out the clock from there.Upper Sandusky gained 287 yards with 188 through the air and 99 on the ground.Heilman was 19-of-30 for 189 yards and a TD. Lewis rushed for 105 yards on 21 attempts. Martinez caught seven passes for 96 yards and a TD, and Kaleb Francis had eight catches for 62 yards.Mohawk had 209 total yards with 114 passing and 95 rushing.Bogner threw 5-of-14 completions for 114 yards and a TD with 48 yards rushing as well. Schimpf had two catches for 51 yards.